Scholarships & Funding for Indian Students Going Abroad

Going abroad is an investment, but there are real funding sources specifically for Indian students. Here are the ones worth applying for.

Government and University Grants

DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) lists its scholarships, with amounts, eligibility and deadlines per programme, in its scholarship database on daad.de and daad.in. According to daad.de, RISE Germany is for undergraduates enrolled in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Ireland, and RISE Worldwide is for German undergraduates, so neither is open to students enrolled in India or South Africa.

• WISE: The DAAD scholarship database currently lists WISE as not available, so there is no current amount to quote. Check daad.in for any new call before you plan around it.
• URL: daad.in

Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility

While historically EU-focused, Erasmus+ has expanded to include non-EU partner universities. If your university has a partnership agreement with a European university, you may be eligible for Erasmus+ mobility funding.

• Amount: EUR 800 to 900/month depending on the destination country group (Erasmus+ Programme Guide, students from Region 5, which includes India)
• How to apply: Through your own university's international office, check if they have Erasmus+ agreements
• Tip: IIT, NIT, and many private universities have these partnerships. Ask your International Relations Office.

UGC International Student Exchange Programme

University Grants Commission (UGC) funds bilateral exchange programmes between Indian universities and foreign counterparts. Selection is competitive.

• Amount: Varies by destination, typically covers travel and living expenses
• Apply through: Your university's UGC liaison officer

ICCR Cultural Exchange Programme

Indian Council for Cultural Relations offers scholarships for study and exchange programmes abroad, including placements with cultural institutions.

• Particularly relevant for: Arts, music, cultural studies, diplomacy
• Apply through: iccr.gov.in

Education Loans for Internships Abroad

If grants don't cover your needs, education loans for overseas internships are available from multiple Indian banks. Interest rates are typically lower than personal loans.

Company-Side Funding

Many internship positions abroad include a stipend. When negotiating your offer, ask specifically:

• Is there a monthly stipend? (Common in Dubai, Singapore, London)
• Does the company cover accommodation? (Common in Japan, Korea)
• Is the visa fee reimbursed? (Common in UAE and tech companies)
• Is there a travel allowance for flights? (Less common, but worth asking)

Ask about these terms before you accept an offer. Part or full accommodation support can significantly reduce your total cost.

Destination-Specific Funding